By George Omagbemi
Nigeria’s insecurity raises a difficult question for Christians: can a people who continually pray for deliverance also organise, speak out and act collectively to secure their freedom?
Across the country, communities face killings, kidnappings, displacement and fear. Yet many believers appear to place their greatest hope in miracles while giving insufficient attention to civic responsibility, political accountability and collective action.
Prayer is central to Christian faith, but does it require believers to remain passive while injustice persists? James 2:17 declares that faith without works is dead, challenging Christians to translate their convictions into practical action.
Consider Israel. Throughout its history, Israelis have combined religious faith and appeals to God with military preparedness, intelligence gathering, national organisation and collective action to confront security threats. They pray, but they also mobilise institutions and take practical steps to defend their country. This raises a legitimate question for Nigeria: why should faith here be interpreted as waiting for divine intervention without demanding effective leadership, competent security institutions and decisive action?
The lesson is not that Nigeria should copy every Israeli security policy. Rather, Nigerians must understand that prayer and practical responsibility need not be enemies. Faith can inspire courage, discipline, solidarity and the determination to protect innocent lives.
The problem is not prayer, prosperity or the desire for a better life. It is the elevation of personal comfort above collective responsibility. When religious devotion becomes an avenue for pursuing wealth while citizens suffer, the moral purpose of faith is undermined.
Nigerian Christians can demand accountable leadership, participate meaningfully in elections, support vulnerable communities, expose corruption and insist that security agencies protect every citizen, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Liberation must never become an excuse for religious hatred, vigilantism or attacks on innocent people. Nigeria needs peaceful mobilisation, constitutional action and cooperation across religious boundaries.
Christians must reconsider what active faith means. They can pray while organising, believe while questioning leaders, and hope while demanding justice.
Heaven helps those who help themselves. Genuine liberation begins when faith inspires courage, responsibility and collective action.
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